It's Silly Season for FC Dallas Fans

Rumors are circulating. Questions about the new head coach dominate. Buckle up.

First up, no show tonight, though plan for a live stream to close out the year next Monday at 8 PM CST. The biggest reason? Eric Quill will be unveiled at his first press conference as the new head coach of FC Dallas on Thursday. We’ll have some video clips and reactions as we break down what we learn.

But it is silly season, so there are bound to be rumors, rumors of rumors, and other nonsense floating about.

Alan Velasco Rumors

First up, let’s talk Alan Velasco.

The mercurial (and mostly injured) attacking player has been the biggest “what if” for FC Dallas in recent years. His performance against Lionel Messi in the Leagues Cup last year was impressive. We thought he had unlocked something, but then a serious injury took him out for a year. He returned in time this season to help FC Dallas with a late season push, but he clearly was needed much earlier in the year if the playoffs were to be a reality.

Reporting has been pretty steady that Alan Velasco would love to return home to Argentina to Boca, but it’s never been clear if there had just been talking or if actual deals were being negotiated. In the end, it was probably wise for Zanotta and company to let Velasco finish his rehab and show some possibilities. Once again, though, reports are suggesting Boca is going to make another play for Alan over the winter as a reinforcement.

And minutes later, Marcos Bonocore threw some cold water on that. Is Velasco a potential target? Sure. But right now? Evidently not.

Things might change, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Would there be positives from Velasco clearing out a DP spot for FC Dallas to play with? Without a doubt.

Are there cases to be made for Velasco to stick around and help the team under new leadership? Also, without a doubt.

My bet is - and really this is the question I hope to ask Eric Quill - that the new coach sits down with the players on the roster, talks to them about the style of play he wants to implement, and works to get buy-in on 2025. I imagine that conversation will open the door to some players about their future - whether they might fit or be prepared to move to other teams.

Velasco is a big question mark. Does he play as a 10 for Quill? Out wide? If he doesn’t fit and a reasonable offer comes in, why not take it?

Are we getting a new CB for Christmas?

Center back is the position that has vexed FC Dallas since Matt Hedges left. Nkosi Tafari has been excellent at times - then gets benched for critical games. Sebastian Ibeagha has been MLS starter quality at times - and then doesn’t look like he deserves the $700k salary hit. Omar Gonzalez ended up being an unlikely starter toward the end of the season, but his time is over. Amet Korca was a hopeful depth guy who got tons of minutes with North Texas but never convinced the first team coaches for more. We got some young guys, like Nolan Norris and Carl Sainte who have slotted in on the back line, but likely fit better as defensive midfielders in MLS.

There has already been a rumor or two of an 18-year-old center back who could be targeted by FC Dallas but that sounds more like a North Texas signing.

North Texas defenders like Mads Westergren and Nico Gordon are names to consider, but Nico probably heads back to the UK.

Truth, I imagine this decision largely rests on Quill’s tactical vision for the team. If he goes to a four man back line, then Tafari and Ibeagha might return to 2023 form. You could do worse with those two guys who are familiar with each other and should be poised to bounce back. Alternately, at least one could be dangled as a trade option to the numerous rebuilding teams across MLS.

My gut is that FC Dallas does not protect Sebastian Ibeagha in the upcoming expansion draft, allowing them to protect someone else. It’s unlikely San Diego would take on that contract, but you never say never.

FC Dallas have options in the various drafts that make MLS unique to pick up a veteran defender or a diamond in the rough. The SuperDraft could be another sneaky good source to gain a talent on the cheap. Do they splurge on a big name CB if one comes available or wait for the summer one again?

It’s hard to predict where FC Dallas goes, but fans can at least be somewhat assured that we have two starting quality CBs on the roster. Will they both be here come January? Will there be new competition? We can hope so, but it’s Quill’s team now.

If you could improve one other position, what would you improve?

Center back is not the only position of need, of course.

There are question marks about the return of Asier Illarramendi. He is a difference maker with his calm, his vision, and his presence in defensive midfield, but he is not getting younger and may not want to stick around for a smaller paycheck. Could Austin FC try to poach him from Dallas? Could it be a perfect year and transition to Nolan Norris as a more frequent starter behind Show?

What do we do about a crowded midfield with Sebastian Lletget, Paxton Pomykal (praying), Tsiki Ntsabaleng, and Patrickson Delgado?

If you could choose one position for FC Dallas to target, what do you think it should be?

Watch the site as we cover the press conference this week.